8th Nov 2007, 18:13

My daughter bought a Ford Escape '03 and the transmission will not shift automatically. She could shift manually from low to overdrive two days ago, no reverse yesterday and today it is doing the shake, rattle and barely roll. Is this due to Ford lack of quality control? Our insurance wants to blame my daughter for negligence in maintenance (low transmission fluid) but we have the regular maintenance receipts so???

26th Nov 2007, 10:00

I have a 2002 XL Escape that I loved, but the reverse gear has started slipping and I have an appointment at my Ford garage tomorrow. After reading these posts I am not expecting good news I had no idea it would cost $3000 to replace! Maybe I should trade before it goes. My car has 89,500 miles.

15th Dec 2007, 00:29

2001 Ford Escape 3.0L V6 with col. change auto. Nice car, but guess what - transmission problem. A previous poster accurately described the problem - "this transmission noise that sounds like the noise reverb strips make when you drive over them. It usually occurs when I accelerate after slowing, not braking, like for a curve. The tachometer also jumps/vibrates when this happens." I have noticed exactly the same thing. Can't say if Ford (New Zealand) will come to the party, but it seems to be a known fault.

4th Jan 2008, 21:33

2005 Ford Escape:

I have 26,000 miles on the Escape. I have taken it in 4 times about my transmission. Ford tells me all 4 times that there is nothing wrong with the car, and I already had to replace my rotors, and now my Escape sounds like a 4 wheel drive going down the road, and every bump in the road, it sounds like the whole car is falling apart.

The other day, I put my key in to crank it, and the key would not turn over, it was like I had the wrong car keys. After 10 minutes, it finally turned. I'm glad I wasn't being car jacked or anything. The Florida Lemon Law says you have to file within the first 2 years of having the car. March 2008 will be 3. Anyone have any suggestions for me?

8th Jan 2008, 00:50

2003 Ltd Escape 4x4.

At about 5,000 miles, my ignition wire was loose and that prevented me from being able to start my car (random).

Paint peeling off the back bumper.

Since the beginning, my gauges spike (aka "prove out") randomly with no other noticeable side effects - most of the time, when the car is "trying" on a low grade hill, etc. In spite of vigorous efforts, dealership unable to fix problem.

23rd Jan 2008, 20:14

I've been finding the comments on this survey very interesting. My 2003 Escape XLT (4x4) is currently at the dealership having the transmission replaced.

I really have a question to others out there on steps to take to get Ford and/or the Dealership to pay a share of the expenses related to this replacement.

I have telephoned Ford Canada and talked to a Customer Relations clerk and her supervisor. No help there as the vehicle is outside warranty at 168,000 kms (104,000 miles). Although this may be high, it is 90% highway miles as a result of my daily commute to work. This type of driving is definitely not hard on the transmission so I'm at a complete loss.

I've been told my repair will cost $5,300! That's totally outrageous! Who has that kind of money lying around?

25th Jan 2008, 09:19

I bought a used 2003 Ford Escape XLT Sport three years ago now. Up until the last week, everything was great about it.

While I was driving home one winter evening, I heard a whining noise, and then my O/D Off light started flashing on my dash. I made if home safely, but was definitely concerned. I drove my husband's truck the next day and made an appointment at the garage. Needless to say, I never made it there, on my own that is. We ended up towing it that weekend.

My mechanic called the next day to tell me that the transmission was done. I found this hard to believe - it only has 95,000 kms on it, it always goes in for schedule maintenance and it has never been driven hard. I was ticked!

So, after getting plenty opinions and advice, I decided to purchase a completely rebuilt tranny. The total amount (with labour) was around $3000 CDN!

I was seriously considering upgrading to a newer model when the time was right because I liked this vehicle so much, but now I have serious doubts. We'll see.

20th Feb 2008, 13:23

My wife and I just purchased a used 2002 Ford Escape XLT with 41000 miles. The vehicle is spotless and exactly what we were looking for. The very next day the O/D light started flashing; a loud wining sound emerged from the Transmission; a terrible smell from under the vehicle; and severe slipping of the Transmission. The selling Dealer is very sorry this has happened and has agreed to rebuild the Transmission. For this we are very happy, but after reading these comments I am very concerned over our purchase. Things do happen, but at only 41000 miles this seems very unlikely.

27th Mar 2008, 22:42

2002 Mazda Tribute I bought this new. I have 134,000 miles on mine. Lots of highway miles. Transmission was slipping in first. I noticed it slipped badly in drive. I put it in 1st and took off with no problems. Shifted to 2nd and no problems. Shifted into drive and drove fine. Slowed down to make a 10-15 mile per hour turn, transmission didn't know what gear to shift to. Dropped it into 2nd and car drove fine, up shifted to drive, runs fine. Mine is at the shop and I'm waiting to hear what they will say.

I bought this new and wanted to pay it off and drive it into the ground. Sounds like a new tranny and trade in time. I've got an old Camaro in the drive that I can put 3500 dollars. I know I will get 175,000 miles out of that setup. Made In America.. Made In the New America... Good Luck Ford Owners.

24th Apr 2008, 23:33

I have read all your posts and I thought I would add mine.

I purchased my 2007 Mercury Mariner Premier Edition new when my 97 Ford Explorer XLT appeared to start having some transmission problems at 95,000 miles. I just got my car back today after having a new transmission put in at 13,000 miles. The dealer covered everything plus some stuff the Mercury dealer messed up. Mercury had told me for a long time that nothing was wrong with the transmission it was all in my head. I'm going to stay with Ford for service. I'm very nervous now about my Mariner but hopefully I will be lucky and never have another transmission problem, but I doubt it.